Virat Kohli wins CEAT's top cricket award

New Delhi, Jan 5: India batsman Virat Kohli on Friday bagged the International Cricketer of the Year award while Pakistan was named as the Best International Cricket Team in the 2011-2012 season at the CEAT cricket awards, here.

Kohli beat the likes of Australian captain Michael Clarke, former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara and consistent South African opener Hashim Amla to clinch the top honour at a glittering function.

Kohli, however, could not make it to the event and former Pakistan captain and bowling legend Wasim Akram collected the award on his behalf.

"He is a special player. One of the best batsmen and fielder in the world cricket. He should be groomed as the next T20 captain of the Indian team. He is the right choice for the position," said Akram of Kohli.

Akram also collected the award on behalf of the Pakistan team and said, "It's an honour for me to collect this award on behalf of the team, They really played some good cricket this season and I congratulate them for emerging the winner."

Another former Pakistan batting great Zaheer Abbas received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

In the special India-Pakistan award category, legendary Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar lifted the Best Test Batsman trophy while former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq was honoured with the Best ODI Batsman award.

The 1983 India's World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev was adjudged the Best Test bowler, Akram received the award Best ODI bowler award.